Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) continues more than 15 years of co-operation with the Goethe-Institut by screening 11 German films and the first two episodes of the high-budget German TV series Babylon Berlin in the initiative Goethe-Institut presents: New German Films.

Babylon Berlin will be part of the new programme of the festival called TV Beats, that will bring fresh TV-series to the big screen. The 16 episode series adapted from Volker Kutscher is one of the most expensive drama series ever created for television, following a young police officer during the decadent and glamorous years of the ill-fated Weimar Republic.

Leading the film lineup is Different Kinds of Rain that will have it’s world premiere in the festival’s First Feature competition, directed by Isabel Prahl, it is a depiction of a family dealing with the repercussions that ensue after the 18-year-old son isolates himself in his room.

Another debuting female director is Nina Vukovic with the thriller Detour that will have its international premiere at Black Nights, having received strong support from the critics after its world premiere in Munich this summer.

The selection also includes the biographic documentary Beuys (director Andres Veiel) and In Times of Fading Light (director Matti Geschonneck) that premiered at Berlinale, Axolotl Overkill, debut by Helene Hegemann that had its world premiere at Sundance and the Locarno-premiering Neolithic revenge thriller Iceman by director Felix Randau.

According to the programme coordinator on PÖFF’s side Christoph Grönerdecisive impulses in German cinema are coming from female filmmakers. Axolotl Overkill has to be named here, with the uncompromising vision of Helene Hegemann. Berlin on screen, like never seen before, pure Zeitgeist. And the world premiere in the first feature competition here at the Black Nights Film Festival is yet another superbly fresh example of female filmmaking: The formally astounding Different Kinds of Rain by ­Isabel Prahl.

He added: ‘Another trend has emerged this year: A new urge towards the fantastic, away from the social realist cinema of former years, becomes palpable. Lighting becomes more expressionistic, dream sequences occur more often, apocalyptic themes are touched upon, dark spots in characters get explored. Without doubt, there is a new lust for genre, for stranger and wilder tastes and the Black Nights Film Festival and the Goethe-Institut have picked up this trend in their German selection.’

Also, the programme coordinator of the Goethe-Institut in Estonia Markus Köcher is looking forward to this year’s screenings: “We are happy to continue our fruitful co-operation with the Black Nights Film Festival and showing again so many hand-picked film productions from Germany - both in Tallinn and Tartu. Many of them will be presented by the directors themselves who will be guests in Estonia.”  

Different Kinds of Rain (1000 Arten, den Regen zu beschreiben), Germany, 2017, dir Isabel Prahl - world premiere
Detour, Germany, 2017, dir Nina Vukovic - International premiere
Only A Day (Nur ein Tag), Germany, 2017, dir Martin Baltscheit  - International premiere (screens in the programme of children’s and youth film festival Just Film)
Axolotl Overkill, Germany, 2017, dir Helene Hegemann
Babylon Berlin, Germany, 2017, dir Henk Handloegten, Tom Tykwer, Achim von Borries
Beuys, Germany, 2017, dir Andres Veiel
Do You Sometimes Feel Burned Out and Empty? (Fühlen sie sich manchmal ausgebrannt und leer?), Germany-Netherlands, 2017, dir Lola Randl
Four Hands (Die Vierhändige), Germany, 2017, dir Oliver Kienle
Iceman (Der Mann aus dem Eis), Germany-Italy-Austria, 2017, dir Felix Randau
In Times of Fading Light, (In Zeiten des abnehmenden Lichts), Germany, 2017, dir Matti Geschonneck
The Garden, (Sommerhäuser), Germany, 2017, dir Sonja Kröner
Three Peaks (Drei Zinnen), Germany-Italy, 2017, dir Jan Zabeil

www.goethe.de/saksafilm
www.fb.com/goetheinstitut.estland

 

We would like to inform you with great pleasure that the 25^th anniversary edition of Camerimage Film Festival will also be the first one including the FIPRESCI Jury. Which means that the International Critics Prize will be granted for the first time in the Festival’s history.

Founded in 1930, FIPRESCI (Federation Internationale de la Presse Cinematographique) is the name of the international umbrella organization for professional film critics and film journalists. FIPRESCI works to promote film culture and safeguard professional interests. At present it has members in more than 50 countries worldwide. FIPRESCI awards its prize during film festivals (such as the Vienna International Film Festival, the Toronto International Film Festival, the Cannes Film Festival, the Venice Film Festival) to reward what they see as enterprising film making. Winners of the award include Pedro Almodóvar, Paul Thomas Anderson, Jean-Luc Godard, Michael Haneke, Kim Ki-duk, Aki Kaurismäki, Werner Herzog, Terrence Malick, Roman Polanski, Woody Allen and Wong Kar-wai.

The first-ever FIPRESCI Jury at Camerimage will consist of Karsten Kastelan(Germany), István Szathmáry (Hungary) and Mateusz Werner (Poland).

 

 

The European Film Agency Directors (EFADs) would like to thank the three institutions participating in the trilogue negotiations for their positive positions on Article 13 in the proposal revising the Audiovisual Media Services Directive. So far there have been some great results which the EFADs welcomes, such as:

1. The consensus on the importance of allowing financial contributions to be applied to non- linear services targeting other EU Member
2. The introduction of a 30% minimum quota for European works in non-linear audiovisual media services’ catalogues.
3. The obligation on on-demand audiovisual media services to ensure prominence of European works in their catalogues.

These measures will create a better level playing field, integrate key online players into the European film value chain, and improve European audiences’ access to European works. As the EFADs have highlighted in the past, these measures are essential to the promotion of cultural diversity in Europe1 and we hope that you will continue to support them.

However, the EFADs think that all the participants in the trilogue negotiations should approve the text adopted by the Council, in particular the explicit reference to the application of Article 13 not only to on-demand services but also to linear services specifically targeting the market of another country for the following reasons:

 

1. Currently, financial contributions are in place for broadcasters in 13 countries.2 The money generated in the form of levies and taxes feeds into the film agencies’ budgets which allow them to support various cultural activities such as film education, the production of local and European content, and distribution in theatres or

2. In 2016, almost as much TV channels (31%) as on demand services (34%) established in the EU were specifically targeting foreign markets.3 These players are currently not subject to levies and investment obligations in the countries they are

3. Allowing Member States to apply financial contributions to linear services targeting their territory is necessary to ensure these services contribute to local creation, film agencies can continue to meet their public interest mission of promoting cultural diversity, and VoD and broadcasters operate under the same rules. This is consistent with the objectives of the Commission’s Digital Single Market 

Furthermore, the EFADs insist on the need to strengthen the monitoring and enforcement of quotas and prominence, falling under the responsibility of the regulator in the Member State of origin by:

 

1. Including additional provisions to ensure that Article 13 is effectively enforced. This could be done by regular monitoring and reporting as well as mechanism to ensure exchange of information and best practices between

2. Including prominence in the requirements set out in paragraph 5a of the Council’s position. Prominence should be listed as a matter for guidelines to be prepared by the Commission and the AVMSD Contact Committee.

3. Including a role for the European Regulators Group for Audiovisual Media Services (ERGA) to facilitate the smooth implementation of Article 13, and the exchange of information and best practices between the national

About the EFADs

The EFADs brings together the Directors of European Film Agencies in 31 countries in Europe (EU, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland). We are an association of government and government associated public bodies pursuing a mandate in the public interest to support cultural diversity and creativity in Europe. EFADs members are in charge of national funding for the audiovisual sector and advise or regulate on all aspects of national and European audiovisual policy.

 

 

25th anniversary edition of the International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography CAMERIMAGE was officially opened today in Opera Nova, Bydgoszcz, Poland. During the ceremony Kenneth Branagh received the Krzysztof Kieślowski Award, and - together with Haris Zambarloukos - the Cinematographer - Director Duo Award. Frederick Wiseman took the stage to get the Award for Outstanding Achievements In Documentary Filmmaking, Paul Hirsch received the Award to Editor with Unique Visual Sensitivity, and Volker Schlöndorff received the Award to a Friend of the Festival. Additionally, as a part of the Opening Gala the Festival screened Murder on the Orient Express (dir. Kenneth Branagh, cin. Haris Zambarloukos) and Downsizing (dir. Alexander Payne, cin. Phedon Papamichael).

25th Camerimage will last until Saturday, 18th November. You can read more on this year's edition everyday on the Festival website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 

 

MIDPOINT TV Launch 2018 is off to a great start with a successful workshop 1 behind us; HBO Europe confirms cash prize of 5.000 USD to Best Project, and TV Launch announces new cooperation with CANNESERIES Institute.

"The multi-faceted levels and unique classes offered at MIDPOINT I believe fosters an amazing inspiring place for creativity to grow and shine. The students were so bright, thoughtful, talented and creative. Their passion, care and energy in working to find the right path and direction for their projects was most admirable. The experience greatly exceeded my every expectation."

– Core Tutor Maggie Murphy, Head of Shaftesbury U.S. and associate professor at UCLA

"The experience of working with a multi-national group of highly talented creators was not only inspirational but a lot of fun to boot. These are all deeply unique and riveting projects on their own right, with exceptional authorial voices. Just being in the room with these guys proved to be an enriching professional experience that I can’t wait to continue." ­

– Core Tutor Gabor Krigler, HBO Europe Creative Executive - Local Original Production, Hungary

TV Launch 2018 Workshop 1

Get to know all about MIDPOINT TV Launch 2018 on our website, where you can find out more about the projects, participants and tutors. And check out our photo gallery from Workshop 1.

Awards

HBO Europe has confirmed the main prize at MIDPOINT TV Launch to 5.000 USD to the winning project. The awards will be handed out at the end of the third workshop in August '18:

/ The HBO Europe Award to the Best Project – a cash prize of 5.000 USD

/ The C21 Media Award to the Best Producer – a one-year subscription to C21's content

C21 Media offers TV professionals a valuable insight into the European and international TV industry. Subscribe to its content and events here.

MIDPOINT TV Launch is supported by Creative Europe – MEDIA Programme of the European Union, Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, Czech Film Fund, Slovak Audiovisual Fund, International Visegrad Fund, and presented in collaboration with HBO Europe, Finale Plzen, Sarajevo Film Festival – CineLink Industry Days, CHARACTER – Film Development Association, Serial Eyes, C21 Media, Barrandov Studio & AMU.

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MIDPOINT partners with CANNESERIES Institute

We are happy to step in as official cooperators on the brand new initiative CANNESERIES Institute. From March 5 to April 11 this unique residency dedicated to screenwriting for series will take place in Cannes, France. It's developed by among others UCA/Université Cote d'Azur and Serial Eyes in close collaboration with Canal+, and MIDPOINT will be part of the selection committee. The call is now open, and all graduates of MIDPOINT TV Launch are welcome to apply.

Read more here.

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Meet Us

Content London, UK, November 26-29 – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Program Coordinator of MIDPOINT TV Launch

 

Feature and Animated Films Funded by the Polish Film Institute in 2017, 3rd Session

 

The sales companies’ members of Europa International attended the 6th Europa International annual conference from the 24th to the 26th November in Bucharest, and for the 4th time in parallel of Europa Cinemas event.

New president and board

The event started with a general assembly and the new board of Europa International has been elected, with Jean-Christophe Simon (Films Boutique) as the new President, Susan Wendt (TrustNordisk), Sasha Wieser (EastWest), Jenny Walendy (The Match Factory), Frederic Corvez (Urban Distribution Intl), Jan Naszewski (New Europe Film Sales) and Vincenzo Mosca (TVCO) as board members, and Daniela (Doc & Film Intl) as treasurer. Europa International would like to thank Susan Wendt for her dedicated and great work as President for the last 4 years and wishes all the best to Jean-Christophe Simon as the new President.

Sexual harassment

Europa International is very concerned of any kind of sexual harassment its members might be victims and condemns all acts of such sort under all circumstances. In this context, a special time has been dedicated to the subject particularly, to guarantee to the future sales agents generation the best possible working environment and a protection for any kind of impropriate behavior sexual harassment.

A discussion between the members has been held on what can be done for the future, introducing the gender issues, and looking at concrete steps such as hotline for victims in the business, training and information within the business, and creation of common guidelines.

The conference “Set The Trend”

The conference “Set The Trend” has been focused on the promotion and marketing for the films’ distribution at digital age with an exchange of views between European and American professionals. High experts attended the event to explore new business models for promotion on theatrical and digital releases and to present experimentations on marketing strategies: Rémi Burah (Arte France Cinemas), Kim Foss (Camera Film), Josephine Letang (La Toile), Mirona Nicola (Gruvi), Sarah Rashidian (Spideo) and Roderik Smits (University of York) from the EU side, and Russ Collins (Art House Convergence) and Darcy Heusel (Neon), with Brian Newman (Subgenre) as the moderator from the US side.

The showcases

The showcases were the opportunity to learn more about various supports and projects regarding the sales and distribution such as ACM Distribution (CNC support for international distribution), EclairPlay (new all-in-one download platform connecting cinema exhibitors and content owners around the world developed by Ymagis, EI official sponsor), Eye on Films (Wide label dedicated to the circulation of 1st and 2nd European films).

Europa International and Europa Cinemas introduced “Europa Showcase” in line with EI conference and themes, to help the circulation and distribution of European films in the US. It consists of a program of 10 European films available in the US for theatrical direct distribution in venues equipped by EclairPlay.

Cinando team introduced “Cinando Subtitles”, a game-changing online tool, which will boost the appeal and distribution of European films by promoting and sharing available subtitles, allowing industry players to easily store, promote, browse, find, buy and reuse existing subtitles.

“Europa Showcase” and “Cinando Subtitles” are both funded by Creative Europe MEDIA programme.

Special thanks

Europa International would like to thank all our partners and sponsors, and especially Europa Cinemas for their help and support to organize its gathering among other activities, Creative Europe MEDIA programme for supporting “Set The Trend”, and Cinando for organizing a wonderful networking dinner which gathered all the sales agents, Europa Cinemas board members, the speakers and the guests of the event, and other European professionals.

 

Audio-Visual Production Grants (Announced on 9 November 2017)